Techniques and apparatus for mounting a housing on a personal communication structure (pcs)

ABSTRACT

Techniques for operating a personal communication structure (PCS) are described. A personal communication structure (PCS) may include a frame, a housing, and a mounting system coupling the housing to the frame. The mounting system may include a plurality of four-bar linkages. Each of the four-bar linkages may include two links, first pin joints coupling first ends of the respective links to the frame, and second pin joints coupling second ends of the respective links to the housing. Rotation of the links of the mounting system results in displacement of the housing relative to the frame along an arcuate path.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to techniques and apparatus foroperating a personal communication structure (PCS). Some embodimentsrelate specifically to techniques and apparatus for controlling thetemperature of a PCS. Some embodiments relate specifically to techniquesand apparatus for removing and/or installing displays modules of a PCS.

BACKGROUND

In some public or semi-public areas, various structures can be used forcommunication or to obtain access to goods and services. For example,telephone booths can be used to place telephone calls. Interactivekiosks can be used to obtain access to information, products, and/orservices. Some interactive kiosks are self-service kiosks, which allowpatrons of a business to perform service tasks that were historicallyperformed by business employees. For example, the automated tellermachine (ATM) is a self-service kiosk that allows users to deposit fundsinto a financial account, withdraw funds from an account, check anaccount balance, etc.—tasks that were historically performed with theassistance of a human bank teller. As another example, some retailstores allow customers to scan and pay for their items at self-servicecheckout kiosks rather than checkout stations staffed by human cashiers.

An interactive kiosk generally includes a computer terminal, whichexecutes software and/or controls hardware peripherals to perform thekiosk's tasks. Many interactive kiosks are deployed inside buildingsthat are accessible to the public (e.g., banks, stores), in areas wherethe building operators can monitor the kiosks and protect them fromunauthorized access. In some cases, interactive kiosks are integratedinto walls of buildings (e.g., some ATMs are integrated into walls ofbanks), fastened to walls, or placed against walls, which can protectthe kiosks from unauthorized access and reduce the occurrence ofpotentially dangerous events such as the kiosks tipping or overturning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, public telephone booths have dwindled in number andmany of the remaining booths have fallen into relative disuse anddisrepair. The demise of the public telephone booth can be traced, inpart, to the increasing prevalence of mobile phones and to thewidespread use of communication networks for non-telephonic purposes.Many people who wish to participate in telephone conversations in publicplaces prefer the convenience of their own mobile phones to theinconvenience of a stationary phone booth. Furthermore, in contrast tomany mobile phones, conventional public telephone booths do not allowusers to access Internet-based data and services. Many people who wishto access Internet-based data and services in public places use mobilecomputing devices (e.g., smartphones or laptop computers) and wirelessnetworks (e.g., mobile broadband networks or Wi-Fi networks) to do so.In short, for many people, the public telephone booth is less convenientand less functional than other readily-available options for connectingto a communication network.

Despite the seeming ubiquity of mobile computing devices, many peopleare often left with insufficient access to telephonic or Internet-basedservices. In some areas, wireless network coverage may be poor ornonexistent. In areas where wireless networks are available, the numberof network users or the volume of network traffic may exceed thecapacity of the network, leaving some users unable to connect to thenetwork, and degrading quality of service for users who are able toconnect (e.g., degrading audio quality of phone calls or reducing ratesof data communication). Even when wireless networks are available andnot congested, some people may not have access to telephonic orInternet-based services because they may not have suitable computingdevices or network-access agreements (e.g., a person may not own acomputing device, may own a computing device but not have anetwork-access agreement with an Internet-service provider, may not owna mobile computing device, may have a mobile computing device with anuncharged battery, etc.).

There is a need for personal communication structures (PCSs) thatenhance public access to communication networks. Such PCSs may enhanceaccess to communication networks by expanding network coverage (e.g.,making communication networks available in areas where they wouldotherwise be unavailable), expanding network capacity (e.g., increasingthe capacity of communication networks in areas where such networks areavailable), expanding access to end-user computing devices andtelephones, and/or expanding access to charging outlets for mobilecomputing devices. By enhancing access to communication networks, thePCSs may improve the employment prospects, educational opportunities,and/or quality of life for individuals, families, and communities thatwould otherwise have limited access to communication networks.

Public access to communication networks can be enhanced by placing PCSsin public locations, including sidewalks, parking facilities, masstransit stations, etc. For aesthetic and practical reasons, it isdesirable for such PCSs to be reasonably compact. However, operatingPCSs in public locations can expose the PCS components to harshconditions, including harsh environmental conditions (e.g., extremeheat, extreme cold, humidity, unconditioned air, etc.), vandalism (e.g.,etching, painting, deliberate acts of destruction, etc.), and collisionswith automobiles. Thus, there is a need for compact PCSs that canoperate properly under harsh operating conditions, and can be repairedquickly and easily when components fail or suffer damage.

In particular, there is a need for a compact PCS that functions properlyeven when operated in a harsh environment. Some PCS components can beprotected from harsh environmental conditions by sealing thesecomponents in substantially airtight compartments. The inventors haverecognized and appreciated that the PCS's temperature can be controlledby recirculating air in the substantially airtight compartments, and bycirculating ambient air through the PCS and over a heat sink inside thePCS. The PCS's temperature control system may be more compact, lessexpensive, and/or easier to maintain than temperature control systemsthat use refrigerants to control air temperature.

There is also a need for a PCS that can be serviced quickly and easily,to address damage to or failure of PCS components. Some PCSs includedisplay systems with relatively large and heavy components (e.g., 55″display panels) mounted high above the base of the PCS. Safely servicingsuch a display system could involve two or more service workersascending ladders to remove components of the display system from thePCS. However, such servicing would be time-consuming and expensive. Theinventors have recognized and appreciated that the time and cost ofservicing a PCS's display system can be greatly reduced by mountingdisplay panels to the PCS in a manner that allows the display panels tobe installed in the PCS, accessed, and removed from the PCS, one or twoservice workers without the aid of a ladder.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a personalcommunication structure (PCS) is provided. The PCS includes a frame, ahousing, and a mounting system coupling the housing to the frame. Themounting system includes a plurality of four-bar linkages. Each of thefour-bar linkages includes two links, first pin joints coupling firstends of the respective links to the frame, and second pin jointscoupling second ends of the respective links to the housing. Rotation ofthe links of the mounting system results in displacement of the housingrelative to the frame along an arcuate path.

In some embodiments, the frame includes aluminum. In some embodiments,the housing includes a housing frame, a transparent covering secured tothe housing frame, and a display panel secured to the housing frame anddisposed within a cavity formed by the housing frame and the transparentcovering.

In some embodiments, each of the four-bar linkages is a substantiallyplanar four-bar linkage. In some embodiments, the plurality of four-barlinkages includes a first four-bar linkage and a second four-bar linkagearranged in a substantially parallel configuration. In some embodiments,the links of each of the four-bar linkages are at least approximatelytwelve inches long.

In some embodiments, the housing is a first housing, the mounting systemis a first mounting system, and the PCS further includes a secondhousing and a second mounting system coupling the second housing to theframe. In some embodiments, the first housing and the second housing aremounted to opposing sides of the PCS, and a minimum distance between thefirst and second housings is at least approximately 1.875 inches. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of the frame disposed adjacent toand with the first and second housings forms an internal cavity. In someembodiments, the PCS further includes a heat sink disposed in theinternal cavity. In some embodiments, the heat sink is coupled toopposing sides of the frame to form an I-shaped structure. In someembodiments, the first housing includes a first display panel, thesecond housing includes a second display panel, and the first and seconddisplay panels are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration.In some embodiments, viewing surfaces of the first and second displaypanels face in substantially opposite directions, and a distance betweenthe viewing surfaces of the first and second display panels is less thanapproximately 11 inches.

In some embodiments, the PCS further includes a counterbalance mechanismdisposed between the housing and the frame and configured to support thehousing relative to the frame along the arcuate path. In someembodiments, the counterbalance mechanism includes at least one springcoupled to the frame and at least one of the four-bar linkages. In someembodiments, the at least one spring includes a first spring coupled tothe frame and a link of a first of the four-bar linkages. In someembodiments, the at least one spring includes a second spring coupled tothe frame and a link of a second of the four-bar linkages. In someembodiments, the first spring is coupled between the frame and the firstfour-bar linkage via a pulley. In some embodiments, the displacement ofthe housing relative to the frame along the arcuate path increasesextension of the first spring.

In some embodiments, the housing is movable between a closed positionand a servicing position. In some embodiments, the PCS further includesa stabilizing mechanism operable to prevent movement of at least one ofthe four-bar linkages when the housing is in the servicing position. Insome embodiments, engagement of the stabilizing mechanism preventsrotation of at least one link of the at least one four-bar linkagerelative to the frame. In some embodiments, the stabilizing mechanismincludes a movable pin biased toward an aperture formed in the at leastone four-bar linkage, to stabilize the at least one four-bar linkagewhen the housing is in the servicing position. In some embodiments,retraction of the movable pin from the aperture permits movement of thehousing from the servicing position.

In some embodiments, the PCS further includes a locking mechanismadapted to prevent movement of the housing away from the closedposition. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes at leastone housing connector coupled to the housing and adapted to mate with aninterlocking frame connector coupled to the frame. In some embodiments,the housing connector includes a pin and the frame connector forms anL-shaped receptacle. In some embodiments, the pin includes a pin jointof one of the four-bar linkages. In some embodiments, the lockingmechanism further includes a release mechanism operable to move theframe connector between a lock position and a release position. In someembodiments, the release mechanism includes a control mechanism selectedfrom the group consisting of a lever, a cam, a solenoid, a motor with adrive gear, and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the releasemechanism is biased toward the lock position.

In some embodiments, the second pin joints coupling the links to thehousing include quick-release mechanisms.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following drawings, detailed description, and claims, all of whichillustrate the principles of the invention, by way of example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain advantages of some embodiments may be understood by referring tothe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating principles of some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal communication structure (PCS),in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a power distribution subsystem of a PCS, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a network subsystem of a PCS, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a maintenance subsystem of a PCS, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a user interface subsystem of a PCS, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a user interface subsystem of a PCS, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a display module of a PCS, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement of compartments of a PCS, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show respective front perspective, side, andexploded front perspective views of a PCS, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show respective side perspective, frontperspective, and exploded front perspective views of a frame of a PCS,in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a portion of a PCS, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIGS. 12A and 12B show front perspective views of a PCS with ribbedpanels, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 12C shows a schematic side view of a ribbed panel, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a temperature control system of a PCS,in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C show one or more vents of a temperature controlsystem in exploded perspective views of a PCS, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 14D shows a vent of a temperature control system in a top view of aPCS, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14E shows vents of a temperature control system in a perspectiveview of a PCS, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 15 shows an exploded perspective view of an intake module, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show, respectively, an exploded perspective view and aside view of a display module, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a top portion of a PCS, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of a system for servicing a displaysubsystem of a PCS, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 19A and 19B show, respectively, a perspective view and a side viewof a display mounting system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 20A and 20B show perspective views of a linkage of a displaymounting system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 21A and 21B show, respectively, a side view and a perspective viewof a portion of a linkage of a display mounting system, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 21C shows a side view of a portion of a display mounting system, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 21D shows a perspective view of a portion of a linkage of a displaymounting system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 22 shows a perspective cut-away view of a locking mechanism of adisplay compartment, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 23A and 23B show side views of a locking mechanism of a displaycompartment with the lock engaged (FIG. 23A) and disengaged (FIG. 23B),in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a display subsystem of a PCS, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 25A and 25C show side views of a counterbalance mechanism of aservicing system in a closed position, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 25B shows a side view of a counterbalance mechanism of a servicingsystem in a servicing position, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIGS. 26A and 26B show perspective views of upper and lower portions,respectively, of a servicing system, in accordance with someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview of Personal Communication Structure (PCS)

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal communication structure (PCS) 100,according to some embodiments. PCS 100 enhances access to communicationnetworks in public or semi-public places. In some embodiments, PCS 100includes an electronics subsystem 140, a user interface subsystem 150, atemperature control subsystem 160, a display subsystem 170, acommunications subsystem 180, and/or a mounting subsystem 190.Electronics subsystem 140 may include a power distribution subsystem110, a network subsystem 120, and/or a maintenance subsystem 130. Theseand other components of PCS 100 are described in further detail below.

Power distribution subsystem 110 distributes electrical power tocomponents of PCS 100. Power distribution subsystem 100 may providepower to network subsystem 120, maintenance subsystem 130, othercomponents of electronics subsystem 140, user interface subsystem 150,temperature control subsystem 160, display subsystem 170, and/orcommunications subsystem 180. Power distribution subsystem 110 maydistribute power provided by any suitable power source(s) including,without limitation, batteries, solar panels, a power line 112 coupled toa power grid, etc. In some embodiments, power distribution subsystem 110includes one or more power converters operable to convert power from oneform (e.g., AC power) into another form (e.g., DC power) suitable forthe PCS's components. In some embodiments, power distribution subsystem110 includes one or more voltage level converters operable to change thevoltage level of a signal to a level compatible with a component of thePCS. The ground terminal of the power distribution subsystem 110 may becoupled to a reference potential 114 via the chassis of the PCS or viaany other suitable path.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a power distribution subsystem 110,according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, power distributionsubsystem (PDS) 110 includes a power conversion system 204, a powerdistribution board 202, and a battery 206. The inputs to powerconversion system 204 include AC power supply signals (e.g., 120 VAC at60 Hz) carried on a hot line 212, a neutral line 214, and a ground line216. In some embodiments, the hot line 212 and neutral line 214 may becoupled to power conversion system 204 by quick disconnect devices 207and 208, respectively, whereby the hot and neutral lines may be safelydisconnected from power distribution subsystem 110 if the PCS isseparated from its footing. Ground line 216 may be coupled to a groundterminal of the PCS 100. Power conversion system 204 processes the ACpower supply signals and converts the processed signals into DC powersupply signals. In some embodiments, power conversion system 204includes a current transformer 222, AC power distribution unit 223,ground-fault circuit interrupter 224 (e.g., circuit breakers), AC linefilter 226, and rectifier 218. Rectifier 218 may function as a DC powersupply (e.g., a 24 V, 75 A, 2 kW DC power supply). As can be seen inFIG. 2, the outputs of various components of power conversion system 204may be provided as inputs to power distribution board 202.

Power distribution board 202 may detect power system faults anddistribute DC power signals to other components of the PCS. In someembodiments, power distribution board 202 uses the AC signals providedby power conversion system 204 to perform fault detection (e.g., groundfault detection, stray voltage detection, etc.). In some embodiments,power distribution board 202 uses the DC power supply signals providedby power conversion system 204 and/or battery 206 to produce DC powersupply signals at various voltage levels (e.g., 5V, 12V, and 24V DC),and distributes those DC power supply signals to suitable components ofthe PCS 100.

In some embodiments, power distribution system DC power signals can beswitched on and off. As those skilled in the art can appreciate,staggered activation of high-power devices (e.g., one or more componentsof display subsystem 170) reduces in-rush current demand on power supply218. In some embodiments, the power distribution subsystem 110 is ableto measure output current and can shut off power supply signals when thedevice reaches an over-current threshold. When a device causesover-current and “trips” the output, an error message may be sent to amaintenance center, indicating that the PCS requires servicing.

Battery 206 may provide backup power for components of PCS 100,including but not limited to user interface subsystem 150, which mayimplement emergency communication (e.g., E911) functionality. In someembodiments, power distribution board 202 may charge battery 206 (e.g.,at 24 VDC) when power conversion system 204 is producing DC power andPCS 100 is not using all the available DC power. In some embodiments, asolar charging system may charge battery 206 during power outages or atother times.

In some embodiments, the power distribution subsystem 110 can detectwhether the ground-fault circuit interrupter 224 has tripped. Theability to detect activation of the ground-fault circuit interrupter 224can facilitate maintenance of the PCS. For example, while on back-upbattery power, the PDS may determine whether AC power is lost (e.g., bysensing whether AC power supply signals are present) or the ground-faultcircuit interrupter 224 has tripped. A suitable message can then be sentto the maintenance center, indicating, for example, whether the PCSrequires service.

Returning to FIG. 1, network subsystem 120 controls communication on anetwork 124 within PCS 100, and communication between internal network124 and a network 126 external to the PCS. In some embodiments, networksubsystem 120 uses network 124 to communicate with power distributionsystem 110, maintenance subsystem 130, user interface subsystem 150,temperature control subsystem 160, display subsystem 170, and/orcommunications subsystem 180. The nodes of network 124 may be arrangedin one or more suitable network topologies, including, withoutlimitation, a bus (e.g., with network subsystem 120 as the buscontroller), star network (e.g., with network subsystem 120 as thecentral hub), ring network, mesh network, tree network, point-to-pointnetwork, etc. Network 124 may be implemented using one or more suitablecommunication technologies, including, without limitation, Ethernet, DVI(Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface),USB (Universal Serial Bus), SMB (System Management Bus), I2C(Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus, VGA (Video Graphics Array), SCSI (SmallComputer System Interface), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, LVDS(low-voltage differential signaling), etc.

Network subsystem 120 may send and receive any suitable data. Forexample, network subsystem 120 may control the operation of othercomponents of PCS 100 by sending control data to the PCS's subsystems.Network subsystem 120 may forward commands received from a suitablesource, including, without limitation, other PCS subsystems and/ornetwork 126. As another example, network subsystem 120 may send operanddata to components of PCS 100 for processing by those components (e.g.,data to be displayed by display subsystem 170 or user interfacesubsystem 150, data to be transmitted by communications subsystem 180,etc.).

In some embodiments, network subsystem 120 communicates with network 126via data link 122. Data link 122 may be implemented using a suitablecommunications line, including, without limitation, an Ethernet cable,coaxial cable, or optical fiber. In some embodiments, network subsystem120 may include a signal conversion device adapted to convert thesignals received on data link 122 from one form (e.g., optical signals)into another form (e.g., electrical signals).

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a network subsystem 120, in accordance withsome embodiments. In one embodiment, network subsystem 120 includes afiber junction box 302, a service delivery switch 304, and a networkswitch 306. In the example of FIG. 3, data link 122 includes one or moreoptical fibers. Fiber junction box 302 may optically couple the opticalfibers of data link 122 to one or more internal optical fibers 322. Insome embodiments, fiber junction box 302 includes one or more quickdisconnect devices, whereby the optical fibers of data link 122 may beprotected from damage if PCS 100 is separated from its footing. Servicedelivery switch 304 may convert the optical signals received on opticalfibers 322 into electrical signals representing network traffic (e.g.,Ethernet packets), and provide that network traffic to network switch306. Likewise, service delivery switch 304 may convert the networktraffic (e.g., Ethernet packets) received from network switch 306 intooptical signals, and provide those optical signals to fiber junction box302. Network switch 306 may switch network traffic between PCSsubsystems, or between a PCS subsystem and network 126. In someembodiments, network switch 306 is an Ethernet switch. Network switch306 may be powered by power distribution subsystem 110.

In some embodiments, network subsystem 120 includes apower-over-Ethernet (POE) injector 308. The POE injector 308 may providepower to one or more PCS subsystems, including, without limitation,communications subsystem 180.

Returning to FIG. 1, maintenance subsystem 130 runs maintenancediagnostics on components of PCS 100. In some embodiments, maintenancesubsystem 130 performs tests on the PCS's components and/or initiatesself-tests of the PCS's components. Such tests may be performedperiodically (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), intermittently,randomly or at other suitable times. Alternatively or in addition,components of PCS 100 may perform such tests in response to commandsreceived via network subsystem 120 (e.g., commands issued by a PCSoperator via network 126 or via communications subsystem 180), or inresponse to other suitable events.

Based on the results of such tests, maintenance subsystem 130 maydetermine whether a tested component is operating properly. If a testedcomponent is not operating properly, maintenance subsystem 130 mayoutput data describing the component's malfunction (e.g., transmit anerror code to a PCS operator via network 126 or communications subsystem180, display an error message via display subsystem 170 or userinterface subsystem 150, etc.), take action to resolve the malfunction(e.g., reboot the malfunctioning component), turn off power to thefaulty component or to the entire PCS (e.g., if the malfunction presentsa safety hazard), etc.

In some embodiments, maintenance subsystem 130 may be adapted to controlor adjust the operation of power distribution subsystem 110, for safetypurposes or other suitable purposes. As described above, if a safetyhazard is detected, maintenance subsystem 130 may control powerdistribution subsystem 110 to deactivate the PCS 100 or the unsafecomponent(s). Alternatively, maintenance subsystem 130 may control powerdistribution subsystem 110 to “power cycle” or “reboot” a malfunctioningcomponent.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a maintenance subsystem 130, in accordancewith some embodiments. In various embodiments, maintenance subsystem 130includes one or more processing devices 400. The processing device(s)may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller,small-board computer, system on a chip (SoC) (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon,Nvidia Tegra, Intel Atom, Samsung Exynos, Apple A7, Motorola X8, etc.),or other suitable processing device. The processing device(s) 400 maycommunicate with other components of PCS 100 via network subsystem 120to perform maintenance tasks, or for other suitable purposes. In someembodiments, processing device(s) 400 are powered by power distributionsubsystem 110.

Returning to FIG. 1, in addition to power distribution subsystem 110,network subsystem 120, and/or maintenance subsystem 130, electronicssubsystem 140 may include other components. In some embodiments,electronics subsystem 140 includes one or more illumination controllers,which control illumination of one or more lights coupled to or proximateto the PCS. When lit, the lights controlled by the illuminationcontroller may illuminate user interface subsystem 150 or other portionsof PCS 100. In some embodiments, electronics subsystem 140 includes oneor more sensor controllers, which control one or more sensor devices(e.g., microphones, cameras, ambient light sensors, pressure sensors,voltage sensors, environmental sensors, accelerometers, etc.). Suchsensors may be used for any suitable purpose, including, withoutlimitation, adjusting the brightness of displays and/or lights based onambient lighting, surveilling the region proximate to the PCS (e.g.,when an attempt to gain unauthorized access to the PCS is detected),etc.

User interface subsystem 150 provides an interactive user interface,which may be used to access a communication network. Referring to FIG.5, user interface subsystem 150 may include one or more user inputdevices 552, output devices 554, network modules 556 (e.g., networkinterface controllers, wireless transceivers, etc.), processing devices557, and/or power supply ports 558. The user input device(s) 552 mayinclude, without limitation, a touchscreen, touchpad, keyboard, keypad,trackball, one or more microphones, camera, buttons, switches, etc. Theoutput device(s) 554 may include, without limitation, a display unit(e.g., touchscreen, LCD display, etc.), light(s), speaker(s), audiojack(s) (e.g., headset jacks, including microphone), etc. The one ormore network modules 556 may include, without limitation, a 3G mobilenetwork transceiver, 4G mobile network transceiver, LTE mobile networktransceiver, Wi-Fi transceiver, RFID reader, Bluetooth transceiver, NearField Communication (NFC) transceiver, Ethernet adapter, etc. In someembodiments, at least one of the network modules 556 may be configuredto access network 126 via network subsystem 120 or to access acommunication network via communications subsystem 180. The one or moreprocessing devices may include, without limitation, a microprocessor,microcontroller, small board computer, or system on a chip (SoC) (e.g.,Qualcomm Snapdragon, Nvidia Tegra, Intel Atom, Samsung Exynos, Apple A7,Motorola X8, etc.). The one or more power supply ports 558 may include,without limitation, one or more USB charging ports, a two-prong orthree-prong AC power outlet (e.g., providing current limited AC power at120 V, 60 Hz), etc.

User interface subsystem 150 may enhance users' access to communicationnetworks in several ways. In some embodiments, user interface subsystem150 may provide users access to communication networks (e.g., theInternet) via network module(s) 556. For example, a user may provideinputs via user input device(s) 552 to control a web browser or othernetwork-based application executing on processing device(s) 557, whichmay access a communication network via network module(s) 556. The dataobtained from the communication network may be processed by processingdevice(s) 557 and provided to the user via output device(s) 554. Asanother example, a user may connect a computing device (e.g., a mobilecomputing device) to user interface subsystem 150 via a network module556 (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), and access a communication network viaanother network module 556 (e.g., a mobile network transceiver), viacommunications subsystem 180, or via network 126. As yet anotherexample, users may charge mobile computing devices via power supplyport(s) 558, and access communication networks through the chargeddevices.

In some embodiments, PCS 100 includes an assisted listening unit thattransmits the PCS's audio outputs to hearing assistance devices (e.g.,hearing aids, Cochlear implants, etc.) within the assisted listeningunit's range via a “hearing loop” (e.g., an “audio induction loop” or“audio-frequency induction loop”). The assisted listening unit mayinclude a loop coil and a loop amplifier adapted to drive amplifiedsignals into the loop coil, thereby creating a magnetic field thatdelivers the amplified signals to hearing assistance devices within theunit's range. The loop coil may be included in or located proximate touser interface subsystem 150, or disposed at another suitable locationin, on, or near PCS 100.

In some embodiments, user interface subsystem 150 includes an interfacefor adjusting the assisted listening unit (e.g., for increasing ordecreasing the signal strength or range of the assisted listening unit).The assisted listening unit's interface may include, without limitation,one or more buttons, dials, switches, and/or software-based interfaces.By adjusting the assisted listening unit, a user may control the rangeof the assisted listening unit and/or the volume of the audio outputprovided by the assisted listening unit.

In some embodiments, user interface subsystem 150 includes interfacecomponents for placing a phone call. User interface subsystem mayimplement the phone calls using voice-over-IP (VOIP) technology. Theuser's speech may be captured via the user interface subsystem'smicrophone, and the speech of other parties to the phone call may beprovided via the user interface subsystem's speaker(s). In someembodiments, the user interface subsystem 150 permits users to placephone calls to emergency responders (e.g., E911 calls). The E911 callsmay be placed using VOIP technology (e.g., via a network module 556 ofuser interface 150, via communications subsystem 180, or via network126) or another suitable technology.

In some embodiments, the user input devices 552 include a microphonesystem, and the processing device 557 is able to perform noisecancellation on the microphone system. It can be appreciated that thePCS may be located in an environment with high levels of ambient streetnoise. The processing device 557 may perform a noise cancelling processthat distinguishes the user's speech from the background noise andremoves at least some of the background noise from the audio stream.When a user plugs in a headset that contains a microphone, the noisecancellation technique may also detect and remove background noisepicked up by the headset's microphone.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary schematic of the user interface subsystem 150,in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, user interfacesubsystem 150 includes one or more processing devices 600. Theprocessing device(s) 600 may include, without limitation, amicroprocessor, microcontroller, small-board computer, system on a chip(SoC) (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon, Nvidia Tegra, Intel Atom, SamsungExynos, Apple A7, Motorola X8, etc.), or other suitable processingdevice. The processing device(s) 600 may communicate with othercomponents of PCS 100 via network subsystem 120. In some embodiments,processing device(s) 600 are powered by power distribution subsystem110.

In the example of FIG. 6, user interface subsystem 150 includes a keypad601, headset jack 602, speaker 603, two microphones (604, 605), and anE911 button 606, all of which are coupled to the processing device(s)600. Processing device(s) 600 may be adapted to initiate an E911communication when E911 button 606 is pressed, and to send and receiveE911 messages via a wireless communication module 607 (e.g., a 3G, 4G,or LTE mobile network transceiver, including a suitable antenna, whichmay be located proximate to the top of the PCS).

In some embodiments, the E911 button contains an indicator. One exampleof the indicator is an illumination ring. The illumination ring may helpa user to locate the button at night, and/or may flash when a userpresses the button to indicate a E911 call is in progress.

In the example of FIG. 6, user interface subsystem 150 includes atouchscreen 612, display 614, camera 616, hearing loop coil 618, hearingloop amplifier 619, and USB charging port(s) 620. In some embodiments,the touchscreen 612, display 614, camera 616, and hearing loop coil 618may be packaged together in a tablet computing device 610. The USBcharging port(s) 620 and hearing loop amplifier 619 may be powered bypower distribution subsystem 110.

Returning to FIG. 1, temperature control subsystem 160 controls thetemperature within PCS 100. For example, temperature control subsystem160 may cool the components of PCS 100. Some of the PCS's componentsgenerate heat and the PCS 100 may absorb heat from its environment(e.g., via radiation or convection), particularly when the ambienttemperature is high or the PCS is exposed to direct sunlight. Extremeheat can interfere with the operation of the PCS or even permanentlydamage some of the PCS's components.

Alternatively or in addition, temperature control system 160 may, underappropriate conditions, heat the components of PCS 100. Some PCSs may belocated in cold environments (e.g., outdoors in regions with coldambient temperatures). Like extreme heat, extreme cold can interferewith the PCS's operation or damage its components.

Temperature control subsystem 160 may include one or more componentssuitable for heating and/or cooling the PCS. In some embodiments,temperature control subsystem 160 includes one or more fans operable tocirculate ambient air through the PCS, which can cool the PCS. In someembodiments, the PCS 100 includes one or more heat sinks, and theambient air circulated by temperature control subsystem 160 passesproximate to the heat sink(s). In some embodiments, temperature controlsubsystem 160 includes one or more fans operable to recirculate air inportions (e.g., airtight compartments) of PCS 100, which can facilitatethe transfer of heat from those portions of the PCS to other regions ofthe PCS and/or to the ambient environment. The fans may be single-speedfans or variable-speed fans. In some embodiments, temperature controlsubsystem 160 includes one or more heaters, which can heat the PCS. Insome embodiments, one or more fans and/or heaters are located apart fromtemperature control subsystem 160, but controlled by the temperaturecontrol subsystem.

Temperature control subsystem 160 may control the PCS's temperature bycontrolling the operation of the fan(s) and/or heater(s). In someembodiments, temperature control subsystem 160 controls the PCS'stemperature based, at least in part, on the temperature inside or in anarea proximate to the PCS. Temperature control subsystem 160 may obtaintemperature information regarding the temperature in or near PCS 100from one or more temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may belocated inside the PCS, on an outer surface of the PCS, proximate to thePCS, and/or in any other suitable location. Temperature controlsubsystem 160 may include one or more sensor drivers that can activatethe sensor(s) and obtain temperature measurements from the sensor(s).Alternatively or in addition, temperature control subsystem may obtaintemperature information regarding the temperature in the vicinity of thePCS from a suitable source (e.g., a website) via a communication network(e.g., network 126).

In some embodiments, the temperature control system 160 adds or removesactive fans (e.g. switches fans on or off) in specific areas of the PCSbased on the temperature sensor information. For example, active fansmay be added when the ambient temperature is high (e.g., above athreshold). Conversely, active fans may be removed when the ambienttemperature is low (e.g., below a threshold) to reduce power usage. Thefans may be organized in addressable groups to facilitate addition andremoval of active fans.

In some embodiments, the temperature control subsystem 160 uses afeedback-based control system (e.g., a feedback loop) to control thespeeds of the fans. The fans may include tachometers, and the tachometeroutputs may be fed back to the temperature control subsystem, which mayuse the tachometer outputs to determine the speeds of the fans. Inaddition to adding and removing active fans, the temperature controlsubsystem 160 may increase the speeds of the fans as the internaltemperature increases or decrease the speeds of the fans as thetemperature decreases.

In some embodiments, the temperature control subsystem 160 uses the fantachometer output to determine whether a fan fault has occurred. Forexample, the temperature control subsystem 160 may detect a fan faultwhen the tachometer output indicates that there is little or no fanrotation (e.g., the rate of fan rotation is below a threshold). When afan fault is detected, the PCS may notify the maintenance center of thefault, so the PCS can be serviced to replace or repair the faulty fan.

In some embodiments, temperature control subsystem 160 controls thePCS's temperature based on environmental information, which may includetemperature information and/or other information associated with thePCS's environment. For example, environmental information may includesunlight information indicating whether the PCS is exposed to directsunlight. Sunlight information may be obtained from a camera or othersuitable optical sensor. Alternatively or in addition, environmentalinformation may include humidity information indicating the humiditylevels in the PCS's environment, time-of-day information indicating thecurrent time at the PCS's location, weather information indicating theweather in the PCS's environment, etc.

Based on the environmental information, temperature control subsystem160 may control the fan(s) and/or heater(s) to adjust the PCS'stemperature. In some embodiments, temperature control subsystem 160 mayactivate one or more heaters when the PCS's temperature is below a lowerthreshold temperature, and/or activate one or more fans when the PCS'stemperature is above an upper threshold temperature. In someembodiments, the number of heater units and/or fans activated bytemperature control subsystem 160 is determined based on theenvironmental information. In some embodiments, the settings of theactivated heaters and/or fans (e.g., the fan speeds, the heatertemperatures, etc.) may be determined based on the environmentalinformation. In some embodiments, if the temperature in the PCS isdetermined to be outside a safe operating range, temperature controlsubsystem may instruct power distribution subsystem 110 to deactivatethe PCS or at least one component thereof.

Display subsystem 170 includes one or more display modules, each ofwhich includes at least one display device. The display device mayinclude, without limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD),light-emitting diode (LED) display, organic light-emitting diode (OLED)display, cathode ray tube (CRT), electroluminescent display (ELD),electronic paper/electronic ink display (e.g., a bi-stable ormulti-stable electrophoretic or electro-wetting display), plasmadisplay, thin-film transistor (TFT) display, 3D display (e.g.,volumetric display, holographic display, integral imaging display,compressive light field display, etc.), stereoscopic display, etc. Insome embodiments, display subsystem 170 includes two display modulesdisposed on opposite sides of the PCS, such that the modules' displaydevices face in opposite directions.

A display device may display suitable information, including, withoutlimitation, news information, weather information, emergency information(e.g., instructions for dealing with an emergency, evacuation routes,etc.), travel information (e.g., traffic conditions, road conditions,speed limits, alternative route information, public transit schedules,locations of and/or directions to public transportation facilities,etc.), tourism information (e.g., locations of and/or directions topopular tourist attractions), advertisements, etc. The displayedinformation may be displayed in one or more suitable formats, including,without limitation, text, still images, and/or video. Display subsystem170 may include one or more processing devices adapted to control thedisplay of information by the display device(s). For example, eachdisplay module may include a processing device adapted to control thedisplay module's display device.

In some embodiments, display subsystem 170 includes one or more cameras.For example, each display module may include one or more cameras.Display subsystem 170 may use the cameras to determine the ambient lightlevels, and may adjust the brightness of the display device(s)accordingly. For example, if the ambient light level at the PCS is high(e.g., because the sun is shining on the PCS), display subsystem 170 mayincrease the brightness of the display(s) (e.g., by increasing thebrightness of the display backlight(s)), so that the displayedinformation is readily viewable by onlookers or passers-by. On the otherhand, if the ambient light level at the PCS is low, display subsystem170 may decrease the brightness of the display(s), to reduce the displaysubsystem's power usage and/or heat generation. In some embodiments, thebrightness levels of the PCS's displays may be controlled independently.

Alternatively or in addition, display subsystem 170 may use the camerasto obtain information about “potential viewers” (e.g., people viewingthe PCS, viewing a display device of the PCS, using the PCS, and/or inthe vicinity of the PCS). In some embodiments, display subsystem 170 maydetermine, based on images of the area proximate to the PCS (e.g.,images acquired by the PCS's camera(s)), a potential viewer's apparentdemographic information, including, without limitation, age, sex,race/ethnicity, etc. In some embodiments, display subsystem 170 may usefacial-recognition techniques to determine a potential viewer'sidentity.

Display subsystem 170 may use information about the PCS's potentialviewers to select the information to be displayed by the displaydevice(s) (e.g., to select advertisements for display based on theidentities or demographics of the potential viewers). Alternatively orin addition, display subsystem 170 may track the identities and/ordemographics of the potential viewers who have been in the vicinity ofthe PCS when particular advertisements have been displayed. Trackinginformation about potential viewers of advertisements and/or controllingthe display of advertisements based on information about the potentialviewers may increase the value of the PCS's advertising impressions topotential advertisers.

Display subsystem 170 may obtain information about a potential viewerfrom the potential viewer, from analysis of images of the potentialviewer, and/or from the potential viewer's computing device (e.g.,smartphone). For example, a potential viewer who connects to acommunication network through a PCS 100 (e.g., via user interfacesubsystem 150 or via the user's computing device) may provideauthentication data (e.g., a username, password, and/or othercredentials), and the PCS may use that authentication data to access thepotential viewer's account information, which may identify the potentialviewer and/or provide information about the potential viewer (e.g., thepotential viewer's attributes and/or interests). The potential viewermay have provided such information when registering for access to thePCS (or set of PCSs), or the PCS may have inferred such informationbased on the potential viewer's activities on the communication network.

Even if potential viewers do not register for PCS access, informationabout a potential viewer's attributes and/or interests can still beinferred based on the potential viewer's activities, and thisinformation can be tracked in connection with information identifyingthe potential viewer's computing device (e.g., a mobile device's phonenumber, mobile equipment identifier (MEID), or unique device identifier(UDID); a computing device's media access control (MAC) address; etc.).In some embodiments, a PCS 100 may identify a potential viewer orattributes thereof based on identifying information transmitted by thepotential viewer's computing device when the computing device is withinrange of the PCS, even if the computing device is not connected to anetwork via the PCS 100.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a display module 700, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, a PCS 100 includes two display modules700. In some embodiments, a display module 700 includes one or moreprocessing device(s) 710. Each processing device 710 may include,without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, small-boardcomputer, system on a chip (SoC) (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon, NvidiaTegra, Intel Atom, Samsung Exynos, Apple A7, Motorola X8, etc.), orother suitable processing device. The processing device(s) 710 maycommunicate with other components of PCS 100 via network subsystem 120.In some embodiments, each processing device 710 is powered by powerdistribution subsystem 110. In the example of FIG. 7, display module 700also includes a display device 720. Display device 720 may include adisplay panel 721, ambient light sensor 722, two cameras (723, 724),temperature sensor 725, frame rate controller 726, power/backlightcontroller 727, and one or more fans 728.

In some embodiments, the processing device 710 is able to read theambient light sensor 722 and send a control signal to thepower/backlight controller 727. One example of the control signal is apulse width modulated (PWM) output. In response to the ambient lightsensor 722 detecting the presence of high ambient light, the duty cycleof the PWM signal may be increased, thereby causing the power/backlightcontroller to increase the backlight brightness, so that the displayimage is viewable in bright sunlight. Those skilled in the art canappreciate that the PWM control signal may be digital or converted to ananalog output via a digital to analog converter.

Returning to FIG. 1, communications subsystem 180 includes one or morecommunication modules. In some embodiments, the communication module(s)include one or more radio access nodes. The radio access node(s) mayinclude small cells (e.g., low-power radio access nodes with rangesbetween roughly 10 m and 1-2 km, including, but not limited to,femtocells, picocells, and microcells), macrocells (e.g., radio accessnodes with ranges of up to a few tens of kilometers), etc. The radioaccess node(s) may reduce congestion in mobile data networks (e.g., 3G,4G, or LTE networks) by expanding network capacity and offloadingtraffic from more congested portions of the network to the portions ofthe network associated with the radio access node(s). In areas wheremobile data networks are highly congested (e.g., portions of New YorkCity, and particularly portions of Manhattan), deploying PCSs with radioaccess node(s) in an area where mobile data networks are congested may,in some embodiments, greatly reduce network congestion and improvequality of service for many network users.

In some embodiments, communications subsystem 180 includes at least onewireless access point. Computing devices may connect to the wirelessaccess point using a suitable wireless adapter, including, withoutlimitation, a Wi-Fi or WiMAX adapter. Through the wireless access point,communications subsystem 180 may provide access to a local area network(LAN) or wide area network (WAN) (e.g., network 126, or a 3G, 4G, or LTEnetwork accessed via the communications subsystem's radio accessnode(s)). PCS operators may use the wireless access points to providewireless broadband network access to individuals, subscribers,communities, etc. Use of the wireless access points may further improvethe quality of service on mobile data networks by offloading some usersfrom the mobile data networks to the wireless access point.

Returning to FIG. 1, mounting subsystem 190 includes a mounting devicethat releasably secures the PCS to a support (e.g., a footing). Themounting device may be adapted to break when a shear force above apredetermined value is applied to the mounting device, thereby allowingthe PCS to move. Such releasable mounting can reduce the damage causedto people and property when an automobile collides with the PCS.

PCS 100 may include compartments and components of PCS 100 may bedisposed in the compartments. FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement ofcompartments of a PCS 100, according to some embodiments. Forconvenience, the PCS's top portion 805 and base portion 806 areidentified in FIG. 8, as is the PCS's height 807.

In the example of FIG. 8, PCS 100 includes mounting compartment 890,electronics compartment 840, user interface compartment 850, air intakecompartment 865, display compartment 870, and communications compartment880. Electronics compartment 840 may enclose electronics subsystem 140.User interface compartment 850, display compartment 870, andcommunications compartment 880 may enclose user interface subsystem 150,display subsystem 170, and communications subsystem 180, respectively.In some embodiments, display compartment 870 may enclose, in addition todisplay subsystem 870, one or more heat sinks. Mounting compartment 890may enclose at least a portion of a mounting subsystem 190.

Air intake compartment 865 may enclose at least portions of temperaturecontrol subsystem 160. In some embodiments, air intake compartment 865may enclose one or more fans, which may draw ambient air into the airintake area. In some embodiments, the one or more fans may also draw airinto the air intake area from electronics compartment 840. The fans maymove the air through display compartment 870 (e.g., across one or moreheat sinks), and the air may be discharged through an exhaust incommunications compartment 880. In some embodiments, air intakecompartment 865 may enclose one or more heaters.

In the example of FIG. 8, communications compartment 880 is locatedproximate to the top 805 of the PCS, display compartment 870 is disposedalong an upper portion of the PCS and below communications compartment880, and an air intake compartment 865 is located proximate to a middleportion of the PCS (in the direction of the PCS's height) and belowdisplay compartment 870. Mounting compartment 890 is located proximate abase 806 of the PCS, electronics compartment 840 is disposed along alower portion of the PCS between mounting compartment 890 and air intakecompartment 865, and user interface compartment 850 is disposed along alower portion of the PCS adjacent to air intake compartment 865 andelectronics compartment 840.

Embodiments of a PCS are not limited by the compartmentalization schemeillustrated in FIG. 8. A PCS may include none of the compartmentsillustrated in FIG. 8, any combination of the compartments illustratedin FIG. 8, and/or other compartments not illustrated in FIG. 8. In caseswhere a PCS includes a compartment illustrated in FIG. 8 (e.g., mountingcompartment 890, electronics compartment 840, user interface compartment850, air intake compartment 865, display compartment 870, orcommunications compartment 880), the location and/or shape of thatcompartment may differ from the location and/or shape of thecorresponding compartment in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, a PCS mayinclude a compartment that encloses two or more PCS subsystems that areenclosed by different compartments in the example of FIG. 8. In someembodiments, a PCS may include separate compartments enclosingrespective portions of a PCS subsystem that is enclosed by a singlecompartment in the example of FIG. 8. In some embodiments, a PCS mayinclude a compartment that encloses other compartments.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show respective front perspective, side, andexploded front perspective views of a PCS 100, in accordance with someembodiments. For convenience, the PCS's top portion 805 and base portion806 are identified in FIGS. 9A-9B, as are the PCS's height 807, width908, and length 909.

As can be seen in FIG. 9C, PCS 100 may include a frame 1000. The frame1000 is (or is part of) a structural system that supports the componentsof PCS 100. In some embodiments, the frame 1000 forms portions of thePCS's compartments (e.g., communications compartment 880, displaycompartment 870, air intake compartment 865, user interface compartment850, electronics compartment 840, and mounting compartment 890).

As can further be seen in FIG. 9C, communications compartment 880 mayinclude a radio access node 981 and a wireless access point 983. Thebottom of communications compartment 880 may be formed by a portion offrame 1000, and the top and sides of communications compartment 880 maybe formed by a removable cap 985.

Display compartment 870 may include a heat sink 903 and a display module700. In some embodiments, display compartment 870 includes a seconddisplay module (and, optionally, a second heat sink) arrangedback-to-back (e.g., in parallel) with display module 700 and heat sink903, such that display module 700 and the second display module face inopposite directions.

Air intake compartment 865 may include an air intake assembly 967. Theair intake assembly 967 may include a grill, a filter, and a fanassembly. User interface compartment 850 may include a user interfacedevice 951. The user interface device 951 may include a table computer,keypad, an emergency call button, microphone(s), speakers, and a mobiledevice charging port. Electronics compartment 840 may include anelectronics cabinet 941, and may be formed by portions of frame 1000 anda cover panel 943. Mounting compartment 890 may at least partiallyenclose mounting subsystem 190, and may be formed by portions of frame1000 and a cover panel 991.

FIGS. 10A-10C show the frame 1000 of a PCS 100, according to someembodiments, and illustrate how the frame 1000 partially forms the PCS'scompartments. In some embodiments, the frame 1000 is the frame of amonocoque structure, wherein the frame supports the components, formsthe compartments and is also the outer face (or “skin”) of portions ofthe PCS (e.g., the user interface compartment 850 and the opposing side1050 of the PCS). This approach may simplify construction by reducingthe number of brackets, mounting accessories, part count, etc.

In another embodiment, the frame 1000 is that of a traditionalstructure, and the outer skins are attached to the frame. In suchembodiments, the frame supports the components of the PCS, forms thecompartments of the PCS, and acts as a rigid structural chassis. Oneadvantage of this approach is field replaceability. If an outer skin isdamaged (e.g., by vandalism or by ordinary wear and tear), the damagedskin can be replaced with a new skin. As long as the frame remainsuncompromised, damaged outer skins can be removed, replaced, and(optionally) sent to a service facility for refurbishing. Refurbishingmethods may include removing dents and/or scratches, sanding, texturing,reshaping, and/or re-painting. Skins that are not suitable forrefurbishing (e.g., due to extensive damage) may be recycled and turnedinto new parts.

As can be seen in FIGS. 10A-10C, frame 1000 may include a bottom member1001 a, a lower front member 1001 b, a cross-frame member 1001 c, anupper front member 1001 d, a rear member 1001 e, and a top member 1001f. In the example of FIGS. 10A-10C, lower portions of lower front member1001 b and rear member 1001 e are joined to opposite sides of bottommember 1001 a. One side of cross-frame member 1001 c is joined to anupper portion of lower front member 1001 b and a lower portion of upperfront member 1001 d. The opposite side of cross-frame member 1001 c isjoined to rear member 1001 e proximate to a midpoint between the rearmember's top and base ends. The upper portions of upper front member1001 d and rear member 1001 e are joined to opposite sides of top member1001 f.

In the example of FIGS. 10A-10C, top member 1001 f and the upper portionof upper front member 1001 d form a bottom and a side of communicationscompartment 880. Two sides of display compartment 870 are formed byupper front member 1001 d and rear member 1001 e, and the top and bottomof display compartment 870 are formed by top member 1001 f andcross-frame member 1001 c, respectively. Cross-frame member 1001 c formsthe top, bottom, and two sides of air intake compartment 865. Userinterface compartment 850 is formed in part by the bottom portion ofupper front member 1001 d, the top portion of lower front member 1001 b,and a side of cross-frame member 1001 c. Two sides of electronicscompartment 840 are formed by lower front member 1001 b and the lowerportion of rear member 1001 e, and the top and bottom of electronicscompartment 840 are formed by cross-frame member 1001 c and bottommember 1001 a, respectively. Bottom member 1001 a forms mountingcompartment 890.

Embodiments of frame 1000 are not limited by the configuration shown inFIGS. 10A-10C. As can be seen in FIG. 11, which shows afront-perspective view of a portion of PCS 100, some embodiments offrame 1000 further include one or more cross-frame members 1001 gcoupled to upper front member 1001 d and an upper portion of rear member1001 e to form an I-beam. In some embodiments, cross-frame member(s)1001 g may include one or more ribbed heat sinks 1161. A ribbed heatsink 1161 may include a substantially planar member 1163 and fins 1162extending from the substantially planar member 1163 (e.g., in one ormore directions substantially perpendicular to the surface of thesubstantially planar member).

Frame 1000 may facilitate cooling of the PCS's compartments. In someembodiments, one or more (e.g., all) members of frame 1000 may haverelatively high thermal conductivity (e.g., average thermal conductivityof at least 90, 100, 110, or 120 Btu/(hr*° F.*ft)). When the temperaturewithin a PCS compartment is greater than the ambient temperature in thearea proximate to the PCS, the frame member(s) with relatively highthermal conductivity may function as heat sinks (including, but notlimited to, cross-frame member(s) 1001 g), such that heat from thecompartments is transferred to the PCS's ambient environment through theframe member(s). The member(s) of frame 1000 with relatively highthermal conductivity may substantially consist of materials withrelatively high thermal conductivity, including, without limitation,aluminum, thermal pyrolytic graphite, silicon carbide, etc. For example,one or more member(s) of frame 1000 may substantially consist ofaluminum.

Members of frame 1000 may be manufactured using suitable techniques. Insome embodiments, bottom member 1001 a, lower front member 1001 b,cross-frame member 1001 c, cross-frame member(s) 1001 g, and/or topmember 1001 f may be metal castings. In some embodiments, upper frontmember 1001 d and/or rear member 1001 e may be extruded metal, polymer,composite, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12C, portions of a PCS's frame 1000 and/orcompartments may be covered by ribbed panels 1200. The ribbed panels1200 may discourage vandalism of PCS 100, since the panel ribs mightoffer a less appealing target for drawing, painting, or etching thanother, smoother surfaces. In addition, the ribbed panels may beswappable, as shown in FIG. 12B, such that a damaged or vandalized panelcould be quickly replaced with a pristine panel.

Referring to FIG. 12C, a ribbed panel 1200 may include a substantiallyplanar member 1202 and a set of ribs 1204 extending from the planarmember. In some embodiments, the angle 1206 between the outer surface ofa rib and the outer surface of the planar member is betweenapproximately 95° and 115°. In some embodiments, the thickness 1208 of arib 1204 at the rib's base may be between approximately 0.25″ and 0.5″and the width 1210 of a rib 1204 may be between approximately 0.3″ and0.6″. Other dimensions may be used.

Techniques for Controlling the Temperature of a PCS

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the temperature of apersonal communication structure (PCS) 100 is controlled, which canfacilitate proper operation of the PCS's components and prevent damageto the PCS's components. FIG. 13 illustrates a system 1300 forcontrolling the temperature of a PCS, according to some embodiments.Temperature control system 1300 may use ambient-air-based coolingtechniques (e.g., ambient-air ventilation, air circulation, etc.) tocool the PCS's components, which can be less expensive and more reliablethan liquid-based cooling techniques or refrigerant-based coolingtechniques. In some embodiments, the temperature control system 1300 mayuse less power (e.g., significantly less power) than liquid-based orrefrigerant-based cooling techniques. In some embodiments, thetemperature control system may be more compact than liquid-based orrefrigerant-based cooling systems, and therefore may be more suitablefor use in a PCS 100 that has a slim profile.

In some embodiments, temperature control system 1300 includes the PCS'sframe 1000, one or more vents 1350, one or more temperature sensors1340, and one or more fans 1360. The frame 1000 may directly orindirectly transfer heat from the PCS's compartments to the PCS'sambient environment. The vent(s) 1350 may allow air to enter or exit thePCS, or to move between compartments in the PCS. The fan(s) 1360 maycirculate air between or within portions of the PCS, draw air into thePCS, or exhaust air from the PCS.

The temperature sensor(s) 1340 may be located in or on the PCS andadapted to measure the temperature of the PCS or portions thereof (e.g.,compartments, components, etc.). In some embodiments, a temperaturesensor 1340 d is located in electronics compartment 840 (e.g.,communicatively coupled to and controlled by processing device(s) 400 ofmaintenance subsystem 130). In some embodiments, a temperature sensor1340 c is located in user interface compartment 850 (e.g.,communicatively coupled to and controlled by processing device(s) 600 ofuser interface subsystem 150 or processing device(s) 400 of maintenancesubsystem 130). In some embodiments, temperature sensors 1340 a and 1340b are located in display compartment 870 (e.g., in display modules 700 aand 700 b, respectively). In some embodiments, a temperature sensor 1340f is located in the communications compartment 880 to monitor thetemperature of devices (e.g., RF devices) in the communicationssubsystem 180. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor 1340 g islocated proximate to an air intake grill of the air intake compartment865 (e.g., the temperature sensor 1340 g may be located in the airintake compartment 865 and proximate to the air intake grill). Thetemperature measurement from sensor 1340 g therefore may be indicativeof the ambient temperature outside the PCS 100. A temperature sensorassociated with a display module 700 may be communicatively coupled toand controlled by processing device(s) 710 of the display module 700 orprocessing device(s) 400 of maintenance subsystem 130. Each oftemperature sensors 1340 may include, without limitation, a thermistor(e.g., a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor or PositiveTemperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistor), thermocouple, resistancethermometer, silicon bandgap temperature sensor, and/or any othersuitable temperature sensor. As just one example, one or moretemperature sensors 1340 may include a 10 kOhm NTC thermistor.

In some embodiments, temperature control system 1300 includes atemperature control subsystem 160. Temperature control subsystem 160 mayinclude a temperature control module 1302, an intake module 1320, aheater module 1330, and a heat sink 903. The temperature control module1302 may determine the PCS's temperature (e.g., based on data providedby the temperature sensor(s) 1340 and/or other suitable data), andcontrol the operation of PCS components (e.g., user interface subsystem150, display subsystem 170, power distribution subsystem 110, intakemodule 1320, heater module 1330, fans 1360, etc.) to keep thetemperature of the PCS within a desired range, or to keep thetemperatures of portions of the PCS within desired ranges. Intake module1320 may include one or more fans adapted to circulate air within and/orthrough the PCS. Heater module 1330 may include one or more heatingelements disposed within or on the PCS, which can heat the interior ofthe PCS. Techniques for controlling the PCS's temperature are describedin further detail below.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 9-10, some embodiments of theframe 1000 of PCS 100 can facilitate cooling of the PCS by transferringheat from the PCS's compartments to the PCS's ambient environment. Theframes of conventional kiosks are generally made of stainless steel,galvanized steel, and/or other materials that have relatively strongstructural properties but relatively low thermal conductivity. Suchframes generally do not facilitate efficient transfer of heat from thekiosk's interior to the kiosk's ambient environment. By contrast, asdescribed above, one or more (e.g., all) members of frame 1000 may haverelatively high thermal conductivity, such that frame 1000 functions asa heat sink that transfers heat from the PCS's components to the PCS'sambient environment. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., all)members of frame 1000 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Measures may be taken to enhance the strength or durability of frame1000. In some embodiments, one or more treatments may be applied to theframe 1000 or to members thereof to increase the frame's structuralstrength or durability. Such treatments may include, without limitation,applying an aluminum chromate conversion coating, epoxy-priming,wet-painting, clear-coating, etc. In some embodiments, the frame'smembers may be arranged to increase the frame's structural strength. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 10A-10C and 11, frame 1000 may be cross-braced inone or more locations (e.g., at the PCS's base by bottom member 1001 a,at the top of the PCS by top member 1001 f, at the air intakecompartment by cross-frame member 1001 c, and at the display compartmentby cross-frame member(s) 1001 g).

Returning to FIG. 13, temperature control system 1300 of PCS 100 mayinclude one or more vents 1350. In some embodiments, the vents arearranged as shown in FIGS. 14A-E. As can be seen in the explodedperspective view of FIG. 14A, PCS 100 may include a vent 1350 a betweenthe mounting compartment 890 and the electronics compartment 840, a vent1350 b between the electronics compartment 840 and the air intakecompartment 865, and a vent 1350 d between the air intake compartment865 and the display compartment 870.

In some embodiments, PCS 100 includes a vent 1350 c 1 between userinterface compartment 850 and display compartment 870, and/or a vent1350 c 2 between user interface compartment 850 and electronicscompartment 840. One possible arrangement of vents 1350 associated withuser interface compartment 850 is shown in FIGS. 14B-C. In the exampleof FIGS. 14B-C, vents 1350 c 1 and 1350 c 2 are formed in the frame 1000of the PCS, and user interface subsystem 150 includes a housing 1410,which includes a vent 1350 c 3 in communication with user interfacecompartment 850. Alternatively or in addition, PCS 100 may include avent between user interface compartment 850 and air intake compartment865.

Returning to FIG. 13, temperature control system 1300 of PCS 100 mayinclude a vent 1350 e between display compartment 870 and communicationscompartment 880. One possible configuration of vent 1350 e is shown inFIG. 14D, which illustrates a top view of PCS 100 with some componentsof communications compartment 880 not shown for clarity. In the exampleof FIG. 14D, vent 1350 e is formed in top member 1001 f of frame 1000between display compartment 870 and communications compartment 880.

Returning to FIG. 13, temperature control system 1300 may include anintake vent (not shown in FIG. 13) between air intake compartment 865and the ambient environment, and an exhaust vent 1350 f betweencommunications compartment 890 and the ambient environment. In someembodiments, the intake vent 1350 g and exhaust vent 1350 f are arrangedas shown in FIG. 14E. The intake and exhaust vents may be covered byrespective intake and exhaust grills, to prevent unauthorized access tothe PCS's components. The rear exhaust vent 1350 f may direct warm airaway from the PCS 100 toward the street or another area where peoplewould not usually be standing. This exhaust configuration avoids havingwarm air being blown down around the PCS (e.g., the base of the PCS),which could attract bystanders on cold days.

In some embodiments, air intake module 1320 includes one or more airintake assemblies. In some embodiments, air intake module 1320 includestwo air intake assemblies 967 disposed adjacent to each other, onopposite sides of PCS 100. FIG. 15 shows an exploded front perspectiveview of one air intake assembly 967, according to some embodiments. Airintake assembly 967 may be at least partially enclosed in air intakecompartment 865 and may implement a portion of temperature controlsubsystem 160. In some embodiments, air intake assembly 967 includes agrill 1502, a filter 1506, and a fan assembly 1504. The grill 1502 maybe secured to the PCS by security fasteners 1508. The filter 1506 may bea semi-permeable membrane suitable for passing air while filtering outunwanted particles (e.g., moisture particles, etc.).

Fan assembly 1504 includes one or more fans 1510 (e.g., three fans 1510,as shown in the example of FIG. 15). The fans 1510 may be powered bypower distribution subsystem 110. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe fans 1510 may be adaptable to provide different airflow rates (e.g.,by adjusting the rate of rotation of a fan's blades). A fan's airflowrate may be controlled by an input signal. For example, a fan 1510 maybe powered by a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal, and the airflow ratethrough the fan may increase as the duty cycle of the PWM power signalincreases. As another example, the fan may have a control input, whichmay select between multiple fan speeds.

In some embodiments, the fans 1510 provide tachometer outputs. As thoseskilled in the art can appreciate, the temperature control system 1300may determine a fan's speed based on the fan's tachometer output. Thetemperature control system 1300 may adjust the duty cycle of the fan'sinput signal in response to the tachometer reading, thereby forming aclosed loop system.

In some embodiments, the temperature control system 1300 may identify afan fault based on the fan's tachometer reading. For example, if theduty cycle of the fan's input signal exceeds a duty cycle threshold(e.g., 50%) but the fan's tachometer output indicates that the fan'srate of rotation is less than a threshold rate of rotation or that thefan is not rotating, the system may determine that the fan has failed.Maintenance system 130 may report a fan fault to a remote servicecenter, which may dispatch service personnel to replace the fan 1510.

In some embodiments, the temperature control system 1300 may determinethat an air intake or exhaust vent is blocked based on the operation ofone or more fans 1510. For example, if a fan 1510 located in the airintake assembly 967 is operating below a predetermined performancethreshold (e.g., the fan's airflow rate is below an airflow ratethreshold), maintenance system 130 may report to the service center thatan air intake vent is blocked. Likewise, if a fan 1510 located proximateto an exhaust vent 1350 f is operating below a predetermined performancethreshold (e.g., the fan's airflow rate is below an airflow ratethreshold), maintenance system 130 may report to the service center thatan exhaust vent is blocked. It can be appreciated that if air intake orexhaust vents become blocked, the lack of air flow could result in aserious temperature hazard for the components of the PCS 100.

In some embodiments, heater module 1330 includes one or more heatingelements. The heating element(s) may be located in air intakecompartment 865 or in other suitable locations in or on the PCS. In someembodiments, one or more of the heating elements can operate atdifferent temperatures. A heating element's temperature may becontrolled by an input signal. For example, the temperature of a heatingelement may depend on characteristics of the power signal applied to theheating element (e.g., amplitude of the power signal's voltage,frequency of the power signal, duty cycle of a pulse-width modulatedpower signal, etc.). As another example, the heating element may have acontrol input, which may select between multiple temperatures.

In some embodiments, the temperature control system 1300 may include anautomated vent flap and one or more recirculating fans, which may beused to increase the internal temperature of the PCS 100 by trapping andrecirculating heat generated by the PCS's electronic components. It canbe appreciated that some of the PCS's electronic components may generateconsiderable heat, and that some of the electronic components (e.g.,display modules 700) may have lower operating performance at coldertemperatures. When the temperature is below a threshold, temperaturecontroller 160 may close the vent and turn on the recirculating fans,thereby recirculating the heat generated by the PCS's electroniccomponents to allow the temperature inside the PCS 100 to rise. When thetemperature reaches a second, higher threshold, the temperature controlsystem 1300 may open the vent flap, turn off the re-circulating fans,and/or turn on the intake fans to allow the temperature inside the PCS100 to decrease. The automated vent flap and recirculating fan(s) may beused in addition to or as an alternative to the heater module 1330.

Returning to FIG. 13, display compartment 870 may enclose one or moredisplay modules 700. FIGS. 16A and 16B show an exploded perspective viewand a side view of a display module 700, respectively. In someembodiments, display module 700 includes a housing and a display panel1604. The housing may include a housing frame 1602, a covering frame1606, and a transparent covering 1608. Display module 700 may beassembled by positioning display panel 1604 in cavity 1610, fasteningthe display panel to housing frame 1602, and using covering frame 1606to secure transparent covering 1608 over display panel 1604. Transparentcovering 1608 may be a toughened glass (e.g., Gorilla® Glassmanufactured by Corning, Inc.).

Display module 700 may include features that facilitate control of thetemperature of display panel 1604. In some embodiments, housing frame1602 includes one or more apertures 1612, which may facilitate heatexchange between display panel 1604 and other portions of the PCS. Forexample, fins of ribbed heat sink 903 may be inserted into theaperture(s) 1612 to facilitate heat transfer from display panel 1604 toheat sink 903.

In some embodiments, display module 700 includes one or more fans 1360arranged to circulate air within the display module's cavity 1610. Thefans may circulate air along the top of display panel 1604, between aviewing surface of display panel 1604 and transparent covering 1608,along the bottom of display panel 1604, and within cavity 1610 behinddisplay panel 1604. In the example of FIG. 16B, one or more fans 1360 xare disposed proximate to the bottom of display panel 1604 in displaymodule 700, and one or more fans 1360 y are disposed proximate to thetop of display panel 1604.

In some embodiments, display module 700 includes one or more temperaturesensors 1340 (e.g., temperature sensor 725 as shown in FIG. 7). Thetemperature sensor(s) may be included as part of display panel 1604. Insome embodiments, if display module 700 or the temperature controlmodule 1302 determines that the temperature of the display panel 1604 isabove a first threshold, the display module (or temperature controlprocessor) may decrease the brightness of the backlight until thetemperature of the display module is below a second threshold.

Aspects of the operation of temperature control system 1300 areillustrated in FIG. 17, which shows a side view of an upper portion ofPCS 100, in accordance with some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 17,air is drawn into air intake compartment 865 by air intake assemblies967 a and 967 b. The air may be drawn into air intake compartment 865from outside the PCS (e.g., through the grills of the air intakeassemblies), from user interface compartment 850 (e.g., through vent1350 c), from electronics compartment 840 and mounting compartment 890(e.g., through vent 1350 b), or from any other portion of PCS 100 influid communication with the air intake assemblies.

Fan assemblies 1510 a-b may discharge the air from air intakecompartment 865 into display compartment 870 (e.g., through vent 1350d). Within display compartment 870, the air may move from the bottom ofthe compartment to its top through a cavity formed between two ribbedheat sinks 903 a and 903 b. After passing through the cavity between theheat sinks, the air may enter communications compartment 880 (e.g.,through vent 1350 e). Communications compartment 880 may exhaust the airinto the PCS's ambient environment through vent 1350 f. In this manner,circulation of ambient air through the PCS may exhaust heat generated bythe PCS's components into the ambient environment.

In the example of FIG. 17, PCS 100 includes two display modules 700 aand 700 b. In some embodiments, fins of ribbed heat sink 903 a areinserted through the aperture(s) 1612 in the back of display module 700a to facilitate cooling of display module 700 a. Furthermore, heat sink903 a and display module 700 a may be arranged such that cavity 1610 awithin display module 700 a is substantially airtight. For example, acompression seal may be disposed on the back of display module 700 aaround the aperture(s) in the display housing, and the compression sealmay form a seal between the display housing and the heat sink when thefins of the heat sink are inserted through the aperture(s). Displaymodule 700 b and heat sink 903 b may be arranged in substantially thesame configuration as display module 700 a and heat sink 903 a.

Making cavity 1610 of display module 700 substantially airtight mayfacilitate maintenance of display panel 1604. Many display panels arenot designed to operate in environments where the air is not clean andconditioned. However, the ambient air drawn into the PCS through airintake assemblies 967 a-b may be unclean and unconditioned. Thus,sealing the display panels 1604 in substantially airtight cavities 1610may limit the display panels' exposure to harmful particles and othercontaminants entrained in the ambient air.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the fins of the ribbed heat sinksmay not be inserted through apertures in the backs of the displaymodules. Rather, the fins of the ribbed heat sinks may be disposedproximate to or in contact with the backs of the display modules, tofacilitate cooling of the display modules. In such embodiments, thedisplay modules may not include apertures. Rather, the attachment oftransparent covering 1608 to display frame 1602 may create asubstantially airtight cavity 1610 within the display module. Formingthe substantially airtight cavities in this manner may further protectthe display panels from harmful particles and contaminants, because thesubstantially airtight cavities could be sealed in a controlled, cleanenvironment, rather than being sealed in the PCS's ambient environment.On the other hand, forming the airtight cavities in this manner mayrequire additional structure to transfer heat effectively from thedisplay modules to other portions of display compartment 870.

In some embodiments, the minimum distance 1710 between the backs of thedisplay modules 700 may between approximately 1 inches and approximately3 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum distance 1720 between thebacks of the display panels 1604 may between approximately 7 inches andapproximately 9 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum distance 1730between the viewing surfaces of the display panels 1604 may be betweenapproximately 10 inches and approximately 12 inches.

Returning to FIG. 13, temperature control subsystem 160 may include atemperature control module 1302 that controls the PCS's temperature.Temperature control module 1302 may control the PCS's temperature basedon environmental information, including but not limited to temperatureinformation indicating the temperature in or near PCS 100. Based on thetemperature information, temperature control module 1302 may determinethe temperature of the PCS and/or of portions of the PCS (e.g.,components or compartments of the PCS) either directly or indirectly.

Temperature control module 1302 may obtain such temperature informationfrom temperature sensor(s) 1340. In some embodiments, temperaturecontrol module 1302 includes one or more sensor drivers that canactivate the temperature sensor(s) 1340. When activated, the temperaturesensor(s) may obtain temperature measurements and provide dataindicative of those temperature measurements to temperature controlmodule 1302. Alternatively or in addition, other components of PCS 100(e.g., processor(s) 600 of user interface subsystem 150; processor(s)710 of display modules 700; and/or processor(s) 400 of maintenancesubsystem 130) may include one or more sensor drivers that can activatecorresponding temperature sensors (e.g., temperature sensors 1340 c;1340 a-b; and 1340 d, f, and g, respectively), and temperature controlmodule 1302 may obtain the temperature information from the PCScomponents that drive the temperature sensors. Temperature controlmodule 1302 may communicate with such components via network subsystem120. In some embodiments, temperature control module 1302 may obtaintemperature information regarding the temperature in the vicinity of thePCS from a suitable source (e.g., a website) via a communication network(e.g., network 126).

Temperature control module 1302 may control the PCS's temperature bycontrolling the operation of other PCS components, including, withoutlimitation, heater module 1330, fan(s) 1360, power distributionsubsystem 110, display subsystem 170, etc. Temperature control module1302 may communicate with and control other PCS components via networksubsystem 120.

In some embodiments, temperature control module 1302 activates one ormore heating elements when the PCS's temperature is below a thresholdtemperature, and/or adjusts the operation of the heating element(s)based on the PCS's temperature. To activate the heating element(s)and/or adjust the settings of the heating element(s), temperaturecontrol module 1302 may provide inputs to power distribution subsystem110 to control the power provided to the heater module 1330, therebycontrolling the activation and temperature(s) of the heater module'sheating element(s). The power distribution subsystem 110 may providepower to the heater module 1330 via one or more heater control terminals(e.g., external solid state relays).

In some embodiments, temperature control module 1302 activates one ormore fans 1360 when the PCS's temperature is above a thresholdtemperature, and/or adjusts the operation of the fan(s) 1360 based onthe PCS's temperature. To activate the fan(s) 1360 and/or adjust thesettings of the fan(s), temperature control module 1302 may provideinputs to power distribution subsystem 110 to control the power providedto the fan(s) 1360, thereby controlling the activation and speed(s) ofthe fan(s).

In some embodiments, if temperature control module 1302 determines thatthe temperature in the PCS (or in a portion thereof) is outside a safeoperating range, temperature control module 1302 may deactivate the PCS(or at least one component thereof), and/or adjust the operation of thePCS (or at least one component thereof) to reduce the amount of heatbeing generated by the PCS (or the component(s)). For example, if thetemperature control module determines that the temperature of the PCS,the display compartment 870, or either of the display modules 700 isabove a safe operating range, temperature control module 1302 maydeactivate or dim one or both display modules 700, thereby reducing theamount of heat generated by the display modules. To deactivate the PCSor component(s) thereof, or to reduce the heat being generated by thePCS or component(s) thereof (e.g., by dimming the display module(s)700), temperature control module 1302 may send suitable control signalsto power distribution subsystem 110.

Temperature control module 1302 may include any suitable hardware and/orsoftware configured to control the temperature of a PCS. In someembodiments, maintenance subsystem 130 implements temperature controlmodule 1302. For example, temperature control module 1302 may includesoftware executing on one or more processing devices 400 of maintenancesubsystem 130. In some embodiments, temperature control module 1302 ispowered by power distribution system 110.

In some embodiments, temperature control module 1302 determines a targettemperature for the interior of the PCS 100. The process of determiningthe target temperature may take into account the temperatures of atleast some of the different compartments of the PCS 100, and/or theambient temperature outside PCS 100. In some embodiments, the process ofdetermining the target temperature also accounts for the power used bythe PCS 100. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that when theambient temperature around the PCS is high (e.g., on hot summer days),the PCS may use the fans to move large volumes of air to keep the PCStemperature from continuously rising. In addition, in the presence ofhigh ambient sunlight, the displays may use substantial backlight powerto make the images viewable, further increasing the temperature of thePCS. In some embodiments, the temperature control module 1302 balancesthe PCS's power dissipation against its temperature, so that the PCS'stemperature and power dissipation remain within acceptable ranges. Insome embodiments, the temperature control module 1302 uses the formulaTt=[P(e^(Ta))+10] to calculate the target temperature Tt in degreesCelsius, where Ta is the ambient temperature (for Ta>1) in degreesCelsius, and P is a power factor. In some embodiments, the power factorP equals 12.21. Applying the power factor P to the above formula mayallow the temperature in the PCS 100 to rise to a safe equilibrium whenambient temperatures are at average or below average levels, whileconserving (e.g., minimizing) consumption of power by the fans. Whenambient temperatures are at above average levels, temperature controlmodule 1302 may increase fan power until the fan(s) 1360 reach theirmaximum speed, and techniques described above may be used to furtherreduce the temperature in PCS 100.

Techniques for Servicing a Display Subsystem of a PCS

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that it may be beneficial forthe PCS 100 (or portions thereof) to be field serviceable. Fieldserviceability may decrease the time and expense associated withrepairing and maintaining the PCS, thereby decreasing any inconvenienceto users or passers-by and increasing the PCS's profitability. Featuresthat facilitate field servicing of the PCS display module(s) 700 may beparticularly beneficial. The PCS display module(s) 700 may be heavy(e.g., 40-100 pounds or more) and may be located relatively high abovethe PCS's base (e.g., the top of a display module may be approximately10 feet or more above the PCS's base). Naive approaches to servicing thedisplay module(s) (e.g., using ladders or scaffolding) may posesignificant problems. For example, some PCSs may be located on busy citystreets where ladders are prohibited. The construction and use ofscaffolding may be time-consuming and costly, and may require thepresence of a police officer. Thus, there is a need for techniques forquickly and efficiently servicing the display subsystem of a PCS.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for servicinga display subsystem 170 of a personal communication structure (PCS) 100is provided. Referring to FIG. 18, in some embodiments a system 1800 forservicing a display subsystem includes a mounting system 1810,stabilizing mechanism 1820, quick-release mechanism 1830, lockingmechanism 1840, and/or counterbalance mechanism 1850. The system 1800may facilitate lowering of a display module 700 to street level, wherethe display module can be quickly removed, carried away, and replaced.Mounting system 1810 may include components for mounting one or moredisplay modules 700 to a PCS 100. Stabilizing mechanism 1820 may preventmounting system 1810 and display module 700 from moving when themounting system (or display module) is in a “servicing” position.Quick-release mechanism 1830 may releasably connect mounting system 1810to a display module 700 or to a frame 1000 of the PCS 100. Lockingmechanism 1840 may lock the display module 700 in a closed position fornormal PCS operation. Counterbalance mechanism 1850 may support adisplay module 700 relative to the frame 1000 of the PCS 100, which mayfacilitate movement of the display module 700 between the closed andservicing positions. The components of servicing system 1800 aredescribed in further detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, a mounting system 1810 may include aplurality of four-bar linkages 1900 (e.g., two four-bar linkages)coupling each display module 700 to the PCS's frame. In the example ofFIG. 19A, the mounting system 1810 includes a four-bar linkage 1900 acoupling one side of display module 700 a to the PCS's frame, and asecond four-bar linkage (not visible in the view of FIG. 19A) arrangedin parallel to four-bar linkage 1900 a and coupling the opposite side ofdisplay module 700 a to the PCS's frame. In some embodiments, therotation of these four-bar linkages causes display module 700 a to movealong a generally arcuate path 1910 a between a closed position and aservicing position (e.g., a lowered servicing position), while keepingthe display module 700 a in a substantially vertical orientation. Theclosed position may be the position illustrated in FIG. 9A, in whichdisplay compartment 870 is closed (e.g., inaccessible from the exteriorof the PCS). In some embodiments, the servicing position includes anyposition in which display compartment 870 is open (e.g., accessible fromthe exterior of the PCS), including (but not limited to) the positionillustrated in FIG. 19A. In some embodiments, the servicing position isa position in which display compartment 870 is open and the mountingsystem 1850 is stabilized to prevent further movement of the displaymodule 700 a toward the base of the PCS. This stabilization may preventthe module 700 a from being damaged when it is lowered and keep it inthe servicing position, so it can be removed by service personnel.

In the example of FIG. 19B, mounting system 1810 further includes athird four-bar linkage 1900 b coupling one side of display module 700 bto the PCS's frame, and a fourth four-bar linkage (not visible in theview of FIG. 19B) arranged in parallel to the four-bar linkage 1900 band coupling the opposite side of display module 700 b to the PCS'sframe. In some embodiments, the rotation of these four-bar linkagescauses display module 700 b to move along a generally arcuate path 1910b between a closed position and a servicing position, while keeping thedisplay module 700 b in a substantially vertical orientation.

In some embodiments, a four-bar linkage 1900 includes two links (a lowerlink 1902 a and an upper link 1902 b), a portion 1904 of the PCS's frame1000 coupled between the links, and a portion 1906 of the displaymodule's housing frame 1602 coupled between the links. Referring to FIG.20A, a four-bar linkage 1900 may further include two connectors 2020coupled to the display module's housing frame 1602 and coupled torespective links 1902 by respective pin joints 2010. Referring to FIG.20B, a four-bar linkage 1900 may further include two connectors 2040coupled to the PCS's frame 1000 and coupled to respective links 1902 byrespective pin joints 2030.

In some embodiments, each of the mounting system's four-bar linkages isa substantially planar four-bar linkage. In some embodiments, each ofthe substantially planar four-bar linkages forms a parallelogram linkagesystem.

In some embodiments, when a display module is in the servicing position,the height 1920 (e.g., height above the base of the PCS) of the pinjoint 2010 coupling the upper link 1902 of a four-bar linkage 1900 tothe display module 700 may be between approximately four feet andapproximately eight feet, between approximately five feet andapproximately seven feet, between five feet and approximately six feet,or equal to approximately 70 inches. Lowering this pin joint to such aheight may facilitate disconnection of the display module 700 from theupper link 1902 by a person of average height without the aid of aladder. One or more of the pin joints may include a suitablequick-release mechanism, to facilitate pin removal without the use ofany tools, as discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, a servicing system 1800 may include oneor more stabilizing mechanisms 1820. The stabilizing mechanism(s) may beengaged to prevent the mounting system 1810 from moving when it is inthe servicing position, and may be disengaged to permit the mountingsystem 1810 to move between the servicing position and the closedposition. In some embodiments, the stabilizing mechanism(s) 1820 preventthe mounting system 1810 from moving by preventing one or more four-barlinkages 1900 of mounting system 1810 from rotating. In someembodiments, engaging the stabilizing mechanism(s) 1820 may oppose orprevent twisting of the four-bar linkages 1900 (e.g., out-of-planetwisting of planar four-bar linkages).

In some embodiments, a stabilizing mechanism 1820 includes a pin 2110movably coupled to a link 1902, and an aperture 2120 formed in aconnector 2040 coupling the link 1902 to the PCS's frame 1000. Insertingat least a portion of the movable pin 2110 into the aperture 2120 mayprevent the link 1902 from rotating about pin joint 2030 relative to PCSframe 1000, and/or may oppose twisting of the four-bar linkages 1900.Retracting the movable pin 2110 from the aperture 2120 may permit thelink 1902 to rotate about pin joint 2030.

In some embodiments, movable pin 2110 is movably attached to link 1902by a retaining member 2130. The retaining member may include, withoutlimitation, a groove in mechanical communication with a ridge on themovable pin 2110, a sleeve partially enclosing the movable pin 2110, orany other suitable mechanism that permits pin 2110 to move butconstrains the pin's movement and maintains a coupling between the pinand the link 1902.

In some embodiments, movable pin 2110 is biased toward aperture 2120. Insuch embodiments, an end portion of movable pin 2110 may automaticallyslide into aperture 2120 when movable pin 2110 is aligned with aperture2120 (e.g., when link 1902 is in the servicing position). Movable pin2110 may be biased toward the aperture 2120 by a spring, a pair ofmagnets, and/or any other suitable bias mechanism.

As described above, a mounting system 1810 for a display module 700 mayinclude two four-bar linkages, which may include two upper links 1902 bcoupled to PCS frame 1000 at respective connectors 2040, and two lowerlinks 1902 a coupled to PCS frame 1000 at respective connectors 2040.There may be stabilizing mechanisms disposed at each of the four jointscoupling a link 1902 to a connector 2040, at each of the two jointscoupling a lower link 1902 a to a connector 2040, at either of thejoints coupling a lower link 1902 a to a connector 2040, or at any othersuitable single or combination of the joints coupling links 1902 torespective connectors 2040. Arranging the stabilizing mechanisms 1820only at one or both of the joints coupling a lower link 1902 a to aconnector 2040 may facilitate manual disengagement of the stabilizingmechanism(s) by one or two service workers without the aid of a ladder.

In some embodiments, the stabilizing mechanism 1820 includes a latch2190. FIG. 21C shows two lower links 1902, each of which is coupled to acorresponding latch 2190. In FIG. 21C, the latch 2190 x is shown in anunlatched position, and the latch 2190 y is shown in a latched position.In some embodiments, when the latch 2190 is in the latched position, thelatch releasably fastens the link 1902 to the PCS 100 (e.g., to thecross-frame member 1001 c of the PCS frame 1001, to the air intakeassembly 967, to the air intake compartment 865, or to any othersuitable portion of the PCS). In some embodiments, engaging the latch2190 may prevent the link 1902 (and the linkage 1900 and the mountingsystem 1810) from moving out of the servicing position. In someembodiments, the latch 2190 may be disengaged to permit the link 1902,linkage 1900, and mounting system 1810 to move between the servicingposition and the closed position.

In some embodiments, the latch 2190 x is held in the unlatched positionby inserting a spring-loaded plunger 2191 x into an aperture 2192 x (notvisible in FIG. 21C), and the latch 2190 y is held in the latchedposition by inserting a spring-loaded plunger 2191 y into an aperture2193 y (not visible in FIG. 21C). Now referring to FIG. 21D, when thepin 2194 of the spring loaded plunger 2191 is retracted (e.g., bypulling the spring-loaded plunger's ring 2195), the plunger 2191 may bepermitted to move between the latched and unlatched positions. Othermechanisms for holding a latch 2190 in latched and unlatched positions,and for releasing a latch, are possible.

Returning to FIG. 21C, in some embodiments a link 1902 may have aprotrusion 2196, which may contact the PCS 100 when the mounting system1810 is in the servicing position. For example, the protrusion 2196 maycontact the cross-frame member 1001 c of the PCS frame 1001, the airintake assembly 967, the air intake compartment 865, or any othersuitable portion of the PCS 100. In some embodiments, the portion of thePCS 100 contacted by the protrusion 2196 may provide load-bearingsupport to the mounting system 1810 when the mounting system is in theservicing position. In some embodiments, the protrusion 2196 may protectthe link 1902 and the contacted portion of the PCS 100 from each other,so that the link 1902 does not wear down an edge of the PCS 100, and thePCS does not wear down an edge of the link. Thus, the protrusion 2196may enhance the durability of the PCS 100 and the mounting system 1810.

In some embodiments, the length 2140 of the links 1902 may be betweenapproximately 8 inches and approximately 16 inches, betweenapproximately 10 inches and approximately 14 inches, or equal toapproximately 12 inches.

Returning to FIG. 18, in some embodiments servicing system 1800 includesone or more quick-release mechanisms 1830 coupling the display module(s)700 to the PCS 100. The use of quick-release mechanisms may facilitatecoupling of the display module 700 to the PCS 100 during installation ofthe display module, and de-coupling of the display module 700 from thePCS 100 during servicing or replacement of the display module.

Referring to FIG. 20A, in some embodiments the pin joints 2010 couplingthe links 1902 to the display module 700 at the connectors 2020 aresecured by quick-release mechanisms 1830. Referring to FIG. 20B, in someembodiments the pin joints 2030 coupling the links 1902 to the PCS frame1000 at the connectors 2040 are secured by quick-release mechanisms1830.

In some embodiments, quick-release mechanism 1830 includes a pin (e.g.,the pin that forms pin joint 2010 or 2030) with threads at one end and alever-operated cam assembly at the other end. The level-operated camassembly may be used to tighten or loosen a nut on the threaded end ofthe pin. In some embodiments, quick-release mechanism 1830 includes apush-pull pin, a positive-locking pin (e.g., a cotter pin), or any othersuitable mechanism that releasably secures a display module 700 to PCS100. In some embodiments, the quick-release mechanism 1830 includes adetent pin (e.g., the pin that forms pin joint 2010 or 2030) thatattaches the link 1902 to the display module 700 or to the connector2040. FIG. 21D illustrates a detent pin 2125 that forms the pin joint2010 that attaches the link 1902 to the display module 700, according tosome embodiments.

Returning to FIG. 18, in some embodiments servicing system 1800 includesone or more locking mechanisms 1840. FIG. 22 shows a cut-awayperspective view of a locking mechanism 1840 of display compartment 870,according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, locking mechanism1840 includes a lock 2210 and an actuator 2206. The lock 2210 mayinclude a connector 2212 (e.g., a pin) coupled to the housing of displaymodule 700, and a mating interlocking connector 2214 (e.g., an L-shapedreceptacle) formed in a retention member 2218 of PCS 100. The actuator2206 may be operable to disengage lock 2210 by moving retention member2218 such that connector 2212 is released from mating interlockingconnector 2214 (e.g., by moving retention member 2218 toward the PCS'sbase). The operation of lock 2210 and actuator 2206 are described inmore detail below, with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B.

FIG. 23A shows a cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 1840 ofdisplay compartment 870 with the lock 2210 engaged and the mountingsystem in the closed position, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, lock 2210 is engaged by positioning connector 2212 withinmating interlocking connector 2214, such that mating interlockingconnector 2214 prevents connector 2212 from moving laterally. As can beseen, when lock 2210 is engaged, the mounting system holds displaymodule 700 in the closed position. In some embodiments, actuator 2206 isoperable to disengage lock 2210 by retracting a pin 2302 into anaperture of a spool 2306, thereby moving mating interlocking connector2214 downward such that connector 2212 can move laterally toward theexterior of the PCS 100. In some embodiments, actuator 2206 includes abias member 2304 (e.g., a spring) that biases lock 2210 toward theengaged position.

Actuator 2206 may be controlled by an access control device, which maycontrol actuator 2206 to disengage lock 2210 when valid authenticationinformation is provided by a user. The control mechanism by which theaccess control device controls actuator 2206 to disengage (or “release”)lock 2210 may be a lever, a cam, a solenoid, a motor with drive gear,any suitable combination thereof, or any other suitable controlmechanism.

FIG. 23B shows a cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 1840 ofdisplay compartment 870 with the lock 2210 disengaged and the mountingsystem in the open position, according to some embodiments. In theexample of FIG. 23B, pin 2302 has been retracted, thereby causingretention member 2218 and mating interlocking connector 2214 to movedownward, thereby releasing connector 2212 to move laterally toward theexterior of PCS 100. An embodiment has been described in which lockingmechanism 1840 includes a connector 2212 and a mating interlockingconnector 2214. In some embodiments, locking mechanism 1840 includesmultiple pairs of connectors and mating interlocking connectors. Theconnectors may be arranged around a periphery of display module 700, andthe mating interlocking connectors may be arranged around a periphery ofdisplay compartment 870. For example, retention member 2218 may includeone or more mating interlocking connectors, and a second retentionmember disposed on the opposite side of display module 700 may alsoinclude one or more mating interlocking connectors. In some embodiments,one or more of the connectors 2212 may include respective pin joints2030 of the mounting system 1810. In some embodiments, the connectors2212 may be disposed on the retention members 2218, and the matinginterlocking connectors 2214 may be disposed on the display module 700.

As can be seen in FIG. 24, PCS 100 may include two display modules 700facing in opposite directions. In such embodiments, either or bothdisplay modules may be equipped with locking mechanisms 1840 thatoperate in conjunction or independently.

Returning to FIG. 18, in some embodiments servicing system 1800 includesone or more counter-balance mechanisms 1850, which may support thedisplay module(s) 700 relative to the PCS frame 1000, therebyfacilitating movement of the display module(s) 700 between the closedand servicing positions. It can be appreciated that the display modulein some embodiments weighs more than 100 pounds (e.g., approximately 130pounds). The counter-balance mechanism 1850 may prevent the displaymodule from becoming a safety hazard when being serviced.

Referring to FIGS. 25A and 25B, in some embodiments, a counterbalancemechanism 1850 includes a counterbalance member 2510, a pulley 2520, anda cable 2530. One end of cable 2530 may be coupled to the counterbalancemember 2510, and the other end of cable 2530 may be coupled to themounting system 1810, with an intermediate portion of cable 2530supported by pulley 2520. The counterbalance member 2510 may exert aforce on cable 2530 that opposes a force exerted on cable 2530 by themounting system 1810 due to the weight of the display module. Thus,counterbalance member 2510 may permit a service worker to move a displaymodule 700 coupled to mounting system 1810 between the open andservicing positions by exerting relatively small forces on the displaymodule.

In some embodiments, counterbalance member 2510 includes a spring and/ora counterweight. In embodiments in which counterbalance member 2510includes a spring, one end of the spring may be coupled to the PCS frame1000 via a connector 2540. The other end of the spring may be coupled toone end of cable 2530. The connector 2540 may be disposed at anysuitable location within the PCS, including, without limitation, alocation between connectors 2030 a and 2030 b of mounting system 1810.The spring may be any suitable type of spring, including, withoutlimitation, a coil extension spring, a torsion spring, etc. As can beseen by comparing FIGS. 25A and 25B, the extension of the spring mayincrease as the links 1902 of mounting system 1810 move toward theservicing position. In other embodiments, the counterbalance member 2510may be a gas-charged cylinder, to provide both biasing and damping.

In the example of FIGS. 25A-B, the cable 2530 is coupled to lower link1902 a of the mounting system 1810. In some embodiments, the cable 2530is coupled to upper link 1902 b. In either case, the cable may becoupled to a link 1902 at any suitable location on the link 1902,including, without limitation, a location approximately midway betweenthe link's pin joints 2010 and 2030.

In some embodiments, servicing system 1800 may include multiplecounterbalance mechanisms. For example, one counterbalance mechanism1850 may be coupled to a four-bar linkage 1900 on one side of a displaymodule 700, and another counterbalance mechanism 1850 may be coupled toanother four-bar linkage 1900 on the other side of the display module700. As another example, one counterbalance mechanism 1850 may becoupled to an upper link 1902 b of a four-bar linkage 1900, and anothercounterbalance mechanism 1850 may be coupled to a lower link 1902 a ofthe same four-bar linkage. As yet another example, one or more firstcounterbalance mechanisms 1850 may be coupled to one or more firstfour-bar linkages 1900 coupled to a first display module 700, and one ormore second counterbalance mechanisms 1850 may be coupled to one or moresecond four-bar linkages 1900 coupled to a second display module 700.

FIGS. 25C, 26A, and 26B show how components of servicing system 1800 maybe arranged in compact relation to the frame 1000 of PCS 100, inaccordance with some embodiments.

Further Description of Some Embodiments

Embodiments have been described in which a temperature control subsystem160 performs temperature control processes for a PCS 100. The varioustemperature control processes described herein can be performed usingsoftware that is executable on one or more processors (e.g.,processor(s) 400, 600, and/or 710) that employ one of a variety ofoperating systems or platforms. Additionally, such software can bewritten using any of a number of suitable programming languages and/orprogramming or scripting tools, and also can be compiled as executablemachine language code or intermediate code that is executed on aframework or virtual machine. Also, the acts performed as part of thetechniques described herein can be performed in any suitable order.

In this respect, the temperature control techniques can be embodied as acomputer readable medium (or multiple computer readable media) (e.g., acomputer memory, one or more floppy discs, compact discs, optical discs,magnetic tapes, flash memories, circuit configurations in FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays or other semiconductor devices, or othertangible computer storage medium) encoded with one or more programsthat, when executed on one or more computers or other processors,perform methods that implement the various techniques discussed above.The computer readable medium or media can be non-transitory. Thecomputer readable medium or media can be transportable, such that theprogram or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or moredifferent computers or other processors to implement various aspects ofthe present invention as discussed above. The terms “program” or“software” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to computer codeor set of computer-executable instructions that can be employed toprogram a computer or other processor to implement various aspectsdescribed in the present disclosure. Additionally, it should beappreciated that according to one aspect of this disclosure, one or morecomputer programs that when executed perform techniques described hereinneed not reside on a single computer or processor, but can bedistributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computersor processors to implement various aspects of the present invention.

Computer-executable instructions can be in many forms, such as programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modulescan be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Also, data structures can be stored in computer-readable media in anysuitable form. For simplicity of illustration, data structures can beshown to have fields that are related through location in the datastructure. Such relationships can likewise be achieved by assigningstorage for the fields with locations in a computer-readable medium thatconveys relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanismcan be used to establish a relationship between information in fields ofa data structure, including through the use of pointers, tags or othermechanisms that establish a relationship between data elements.

In some embodiments the technique(s) can be implemented as computerinstructions stored in portions of a computer's random access memory toprovide control logic that affects the processes described above. Insuch an embodiment, the program can be written in any one of a number ofhigh-level languages, such as FORTRAN, PASCAL, C, C++, C#, Java,JavaScript, Tcl, or BASIC. Further, the program can be written in ascript, macro, or functionality embedded in commercially availablesoftware, such as EXCEL or VISUAL BASIC. Additionally, the software canbe implemented in an assembly language directed to a microprocessorresident on a computer. For example, the software can be implemented inIntel 80x86 assembly language if it is configured to run on an IBM PC orPC clone. The software can be embedded on an article of manufactureincluding, but not limited to, “computer-readable program means” such asa floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a PROM, anEPROM, or CD-ROM.

Embodiments have been described in which various aspects of thetechniques described herein are applied to a personal communicationstructure (PCS). In some embodiments, aspects of the techniquesdescribed herein may be applied to any suitable structure including,without limitation, a kiosk (e.g., an interactive kiosk), pay station(e.g., parking pay station), automated teller machine (ATM), article ofstreet furniture (e.g., mailbox, bench, traffic barrier, bollard,telephone booth, streetlamp, traffic signal, traffic sign, publictransit sign, public transit shelter, taxi stand, public lavatory,fountain, watering trough, memorial, sculpture, waste receptacle, firehydrant, vending machine, utility pole, etc.), etc.

Various aspects of the present disclosure can be used alone, incombination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically describedin the foregoing, and the invention is therefore not limited in itsapplication to the details and arrangement of components set forth inthe foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example,aspects described in one embodiment can be combined in a suitable mannerwith aspects described in other embodiments.

TERMINOLOGY

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term “approximately”, the phrase “approximately equal to”, and othersimilar phrases, as used in the specification and the claims (e.g., “Xhas a value of approximately Y” or “X is approximately equal to Y”),should be understood to mean that one value (X) is within apredetermined range of another value (Y). The predetermined range may beplus or minus 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, or less than 0.1%, unlessotherwise indicated.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used in the specification andin the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used in thespecification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either orboth” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that areconjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in othercases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in thesame fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Otherelements may optionally be present other than the elements specificallyidentified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to thoseelements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, areference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-endedlanguage such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only(optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, toB only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet anotherembodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives(i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms ofexclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly oneof.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall haveits ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at leastone,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and additional items.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in theclaims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote anypriority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or thetemporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal termsare used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having acertain name from another element having a same name (but for use of theordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.

EQUIVALENTS

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations,modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled inthe art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intendedto be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description anddrawings are by way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal communication structure (PCS)comprising: a frame; a housing disposed in an orientation relative tothe frame in a closed position; and a mounting system coupling thehousing to the frame, the mounting system including a plurality offour-bar linkages, each of the four-bar linkages including two links,first pin joints coupling first ends of the respective links to theframe, and second pin joints coupling second ends of the respectivelinks to the housing, wherein rotation of the links of the mountingsystem results in displacement of the housing relative to the framealong an arcuate path from the closed position to a servicing positionwhile maintaining the orientation of the housing relative to the frame.2. The PCS of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises aluminum.
 3. The PCSof claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a housing frame, a transparentcovering secured to the housing frame, and a display panel secured tothe housing frame and disposed within a cavity formed by the housingframe and the transparent covering.
 4. The PCS of claim 1, wherein eachof the four-bar linkages is a substantially planar four-bar linkage. 5.The PCS of claim 4, wherein the plurality of four-bar linkages comprisesa first four-bar linkage and a second four-bar linkage arranged in asubstantially parallel configuration.
 6. The PCS of claim 1, wherein thehousing is a first housing, wherein the mounting system is a firstmounting system, wherein the PCS further comprises a second housing anda second mounting system coupling the second housing to the frame. 7.The PCS of claim 6, wherein the first housing and the second housing aremounted to opposing sides of the PCS, and wherein a minimum distancebetween the first and second housings is at least approximately 1.875inches.
 8. The PCS of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the framedisposed adjacent to and with the first and second housings forms aninternal cavity.
 9. The PCS of claim 8, further comprising a heat sinkdisposed in the internal cavity.
 10. The PCS of claim 9, wherein theheat sink is coupled to opposing sides of the frame to form an I-shapedstructure.
 11. The PCS of claim 6, wherein the first housing comprises afirst display panel, wherein the second housing comprises a seconddisplay panel, and wherein the first and second display panels arearranged in a substantially parallel configuration.
 12. The PCS of claim11, wherein viewing surfaces of the first and second display panels facein substantially opposite directions, and wherein a distance between theviewing surfaces of the first and second display panels is less thanapproximately 11 inches.
 13. The PCS of claim 1, further comprising acounterbalance mechanism disposed between the housing and the frame andconfigured to support the housing relative to the frame along thearcuate path.
 14. The PCS of claim 13, wherein the counterbalancemechanism comprises at least one spring coupled to the frame and atleast one of the four-bar linkages.
 15. The PCS of claim 14, wherein theat least one spring comprises a first spring coupled to the frame and alink of a first of the four-bar linkages, and a second spring coupled tothe frame and a link of a second of the four-bar linkages.
 16. The PCSof claim 15, wherein the first spring is coupled between the frame andthe first four-bar linkage via a pulley.
 17. The PCS of claim 15,wherein the displacement of the housing relative to the frame along thearcuate path increases extension of the first spring.
 18. (canceled) 19.The PCS of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing mechanism operableto prevent movement of at least one of the four-bar linkages when thehousing is in the servicing position.
 20. The PCS of claim 19, whereinengagement of the stabilizing mechanism prevents rotation of at leastone link of the at least one four-bar linkage relative to the frame. 21.A personal communication structure (PCS) comprising: a frame; a housingmovable between a closed position and a servicing position; a mountingsystem coupling the housing to the frame, the mounting system includinga plurality of four-bar linkages, each of the four-bar linkagesincluding two links, first pin joints coupling first ends of therespective links to the frame, and second pin joints coupling secondends of the respective links to the housing; and a stabilizing mechanismoperable to prevent movement of at least one of the four-bar linkageswhen the housing is in the servicing position, wherein rotation of thelinks of the mounting system results in displacement of the housingrelative to the frame along an arcuate path, wherein engagement of thestabilizing mechanism prevents rotation of at least one link of the atleast one four-bar linkage relative to the frame, and wherein thestabilizing mechanism comprises a movable pin biased toward an apertureformed in the at least one four-bar linkage, to stabilize the at leastone four-bar linkage when the housing is in the servicing position. 22.The PCS of claim 21, wherein retraction of the movable pin from theaperture permits movement of the housing from the servicing position.23. The PCS of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism adaptedto prevent movement of the housing away from the closed position. 24.The PCS of claim 23, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at leastone housing connector coupled to the housing and adapted to mate with aninterlocking frame connector coupled to the frame.
 25. A personalcommunication structure (PCS) comprising: a frame; a housing movablebetween a closed position and a servicing position; a mounting systemcoupling the housing to the frame, the mounting system including aplurality of four-bar linkages, each of the four-bar linkages includingtwo links, first pin joints coupling first ends of the respective linksto the frame, and second pin joints coupling second ends of therespective links to the housing; and a locking mechanism adapted toprevent movement of the housing away from the closed position, whereinthe locking mechanism comprises at least one housing connector coupledto the housing and adapted to mate with an interlocking frame connectorcoupled to the frame, and wherein the housing connector comprises a pinand the frame connector forms an L-shaped receptacle.
 26. The PCS ofclaim 25, wherein the pin comprises a pin joint of one of the four-barlinkages.
 27. The PCS of claim 25, wherein the locking mechanism furthercomprises a release mechanism operable to move the frame connectorbetween a lock position and a release position.
 28. The PCS of claim 27,wherein the release mechanism comprises a control mechanism selectedfrom the group consisting of a lever, a cam, a solenoid, a motor with adrive gear, and a combination thereof.
 29. The PCS of claim 27, whereinthe release mechanism is biased toward the lock position.
 30. The PCS ofclaim 1, wherein the second pin joints coupling the links to the housingcomprise quick-release mechanisms.
 31. The PCS of claim 1, wherein theorientation of the housing relative to the frame comprises asubstantially vertical orientation.